While we only usually eat mince pies at Christmas, there’s no reason why you can’t dish up this festive mince pie ice cream treat all year round!
It really is the perfect way to enjoy all the mince pie flavours and it works a treat with other popular foods.
It’s also easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients to create what could quickly become a family favourite during the festive period.
However, from experience, you should be prepared to have a larger supply available for ‘seconds’.
There’s no doubt that mince pie ice cream is a fun and festive way to enjoy your favourite festive dessert.
It takes little preparation and makes an impression when dished up.
Why mince pie ice cream is the best way to enjoy this great Christmas treat
There are so many reasons why mince pie ice cream is the best way to enjoy this great Christmas treat. Such as:
- It’s a fun and festive twist on a classic dessert
- It’s easy to make
- It only requires a few simple ingredients.
What is mincemeat?
What is mincemeat, we hear you ask.
Well, mincemeat is a mixture of dried fruits and spices which is used as a filling for pies and pastries.
It was traditionally made with beef suet, but vegetarian versions tend to be more popular.
The mincemeat is usually flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and citrus zest, and is often fortified with brandy or rum.
You can find jars of quality mincemeat in supermarkets, online and in shops.
This dessert idea is perfect for anyone who loves mince pies and wants to try something a little different.
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Mince pie ice cream – what you need to know
Mince pie ice cream is a festive twist on the classic dessert. It’s made with all of the traditional ingredients of a mince pie – including succulent fruits, spices and a rich pastry base – but with the addition of creamy ice cream, it’s the perfect treat!
However, it’s not just for the festivities – it’s also a showstopper on a hot summer’s day. And if you’re feeling really naughty, why not add a dollop of brandy butter or rum to your mince pie ice cream? Delicious!
Mince pie ice cream is perfect for anyone who loves mince pies and wants to try something a little different.
It’s also great for ice cream lovers who are looking for a festive twist on their favourite treat.
And if you’re entertaining guests over the Christmas period, this is definitely an impressive dessert that will have them coming back for more.
The key ingredients for this dish are mincemeat, ice cream and pastry. You’ll also need some whipped cream, brandy butter or rum (optional) and a few glacé cherries to decorate.
It’s really easy to make mince pie ice cream! Simply churn your favourite ice cream (we recommend a vanilla or fruit flavour) with some mincemeat, then spoon it into a pastry case.
Top with whipped cream and a glacé cherry, then enjoy.
But don’t just take our word for it! Here’s a great video from the people at Dualit to explain more:
We also love this creation from The Hungry Gwei:
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How to make mince pie ice cream
There are lots of mince pie ice cream recipes out there but the Christmas.co.uk team love this creation and we can recommend it.
Ingredients:
560 ml of double cream (heavy cream for US readers)
240 ml of whole milk
120 ml of mincemeat (from a jar – not minced meat!)
60 ml of sugar
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vanilla extract.
Method:
- Start by combining the cream, whole milk, mincemeat, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until the mixture is hot, and the sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Pour into a food processor or use a blender until the mix is smooth.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker – and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
(If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you simply place the mixture in a sealable container and put it in the freezer. You will need to ‘churn’ the mix occasionally until it sets. Or just place the container in the freezer until it sets without churning though you run the risk of ice crystals in the ice cream).
- Serve immediately or store the remainder in the freezer for later. Enjoy!
It really is that simple!
Mince pie ice cream – a warning!
We should mention that a drawback of the recipe above is that it can be quite time-consuming to make.
Churning the ice cream from scratch and assembling the mince pies can take a while, so it’s best to plan ahead.
Also, this recipe is best enjoyed fresh, so you might not want to make it too far in advance of when you plan to serve it.
However, being prepared and creating the dish from scratch is a rewarding and enjoyable effort to undertake. Get the family involved in making it, especially children.
We hope you enjoy making (and eating!) this festive dessert – we know that we did!
And it is also why we have added a great – and easy! – recipe below on how to make ice cream at home without a machine.
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How to make ice cream at home
Having mentioned that you can make ice cream at home, we thought we should share a simple recipe to show you how easy this can be! You will need:
- .5 litres (1 pint) of milk
- 900ml (1½ pints) of double cream
- 450g (1lb) of caster sugar
- 8 egg yolks beaten well
Start by heating the milk in a saucepan until it is just about to boil. Take it off the heat and add the double cream, sugar, egg yolks and vanilla extract (or other flavourings). Stir well until everything is combined.
Now pour the mixture into a freezer-proof container and put it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes or so, take it out of the freezer and give it a good stir. This will help to prevent ice crystals from forming.
After about 4 hours, your ice cream should be ready!
At this point you can add your favourite mincemeat – or crumble up mince pies instead. Enjoy!
Or, you can enjoy this video from Blue Peter who show viewers how to make ice cream at home in just FIVE minutes!
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How to serve mince pie ice cream
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy this ice cream! Here are just a few ideas:
- Serve it on its own as a simple and refreshing dessert
- Top it with some whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a festive twist
- Use it as a topping for your favourite festive cake – it goes great with Christmas cake
- You can also add a dollop of mincemeat or other fruit toppings
- Try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious mince pie sundae.
The Christmas.co.uk team can also recommend dishing up a scoop (or two!) of mince pie ice cream with your Christmas pudding. It’s very indulgent but very tasty!
Whatever way you choose to enjoy it, mince pie ice cream is sure to be a hit!
